1895-1904 autograph album that was given by Mabel to Jane May Ayer, "Janie", of Charlotte, Maine, as a Christmas present.
Two Mabels inscribed pages in the album: Mabel C. Annis and Janie's cousin, Mabel R. Fisher. Judging from the handwriting, I believe it was Mabel R. Fisher who gave the album to Janie. Mabel's father Edwin E. Fisher was a brother to Janie's mother Attie Rebecca (Fisher) Ayer.
Tucked in the album is a letter dated December 24, 1915 from one of Janie's students at Grand Lake Stream, Maine. Janie was apparently home at Ayers Junction in Pembroke, Maine, for Christmas vacation.
The album measures approximately 4-1/2" by nearly 3" and contains the sentiments of 23 of Janie's relatives and friends. An alphabetical surname list and an alphabetical list of the inscribers, together with any personal information they offered, appear at the end of this post.
From brief online research, hopefully correct: [corrections and additions requested!]
Jane May Ayer, "Janie", was born May 2, 1886 at Charlotte, Maine, daughter of William and Attie Rebecca (Fisher) Ayer. Janie's mother inscribed two pages in the album, one at the beginning, dated January 9, 1897, and one at the end, dated September 30, 1901.
Two of Janie's sisters inscribed pages in the album. Jessie Lillian Ayer (1885-1946) inscribed a page on June 9, 1896.
Sister Gladys Amy Ayer (1891-1991) inscribed a page on February 7, 1904. She would marry Cassius Herbert Bridges.
Jane May Ayer married Leon Hugh Brown of Vermont on May 15, 1912 at Medfield, Massachusetts. Apparently they lived in Washington County for at least a few years, as it appears that Janie was teaching school at Grand Lake Stream in 1915.
At some point, before the couple moved to Benson, Vermont. Janie died at Rutland, Vermont in 1974. If you have corrections and/or additions to the information above, please leave a comment or contact me directly.
Surnames in the Album
| ? [2] | C | Carter | F | Fisher | P | Phipps |
| Annis [3] | Chandler [2] | H | Harvell | R | Rice [3] | |
| Ayer [4] | Corbett | J | Healy [2] | T | Thompson | |
| Ayers | Curtis ? | James | ||||
| D | Damon |
Inscribers in the Album - given names within a surname might not be in alphabetical order.
- Mabel; gave the album to Janie at Christmas, not dated but likely 1895. Two Mabels inscribed pages in the album: Mabel Annis and Mabel R. Fisher; based on handwriting, the alum giver was more likely Mabel R. Fisher.
- Clarissa; who wrote a letter dated December 24, 1915, tucked in the album; addressed to Janie and written at Grand Lake Stream, Maine. It appears that she was Janie's student at Grand Lake Stream. She may have been Clarissa B. Curtis, who would marry Russell L. James in 1920.
- Jennie A. Annis of Charlotte, Maine, inscribed on June 10, 1896
- Mabel C. Annis of Charlotte, Maine, inscribed on June 10, 1896. Possibly the Mabel who gifted the album to Janie, but, based on handwriting, Mabel was more likely Mabel R. Fisher.
- Lucy M. Annis of Charlotte, Maine, inscribed on June 9, 1896
- Jane May Ayer, "Janie", of Charlotte, Maine; album owner
- Attie Ayer of Charlotte, Maine, inscribed on January 9, 1897; "Your loving mother", Attie R. (Fisher) Ayer (1859-1904). She also inscribed the last page in the album as "mama"
- Gladys Ayer, inscribed on February 7, 1904; "your sister" - Gladys Amy Ayer (1891-1991); married Cassius Herbert Bridges
- Jessie L. Ayer of Charlotte, Maine, inscribed on June 9, 1896; "Your sister" Jessie Lillian Ayer (1885-1946)
- Merton Ayers of Ayers, Maine
- Theresa M. Carter of Charlotte, Maine, inscribed on February 7, 1904. Mentions "Mail-driving"
- Mattie Chandler of Charlotte, Maine, inscribed on June 9, 1896
- Irene S. Chandler of Charlotte, Maine, inscribed on June 9, 1896
- Gracie Corbett of Charlotte, Maine
- Clarissa B. Curtis of Grand Lake Stream, Maine - she may have been the author of a December 24, 1915, letter sent to album owner Jane M. Ayer, "Janie", who was then home at Ayer Junction for Christmas break. The letter is tucked in the album. Clarissa B. Curtis would marry Russell L. James of Pembroke, Maine, in 1920.
- Harold F. Damon of Charlotte, Maine, inscribed on March 30, 1904
- Mabel Roxanna Fisher of Charlotte, Maine, inscribed on June 9, 1896; based on handwriting, presumably the Mabel who gave the album to Janie
- Mary E. Harvell of Robbinston, Maine, inscribed at Charlotte, Maine, on June 8, 1896
- Jennie T. Healy, inscribed at Charlotte, Maine, on June 9, 1896
- Annie Healy of Charlotte, Maine, inscribed on June 9, 1896
- Benjamin F. James of Charlotte, Maine, inscribed on February 8, 1904
- Caroline Phipps of Charlotte, Maine, inscribed on June 9, 1896
- Leo H. Rice of Charlotte, Maine; not sure of surname
- Mae E. Rice of Charlotte, Maine, inscribed on June 10, 1896
- Maude Rice of Charlotte, Maine, inscribed there on June 9, 1896
- Ina M. Thompson of Charlotte, Maine, inscribed on June 10, 1896
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